Over 300 additional paramilitary companies will be deployed in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the three-phase assembly elections set to begin on September 18, officials announced on Thursday.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Jammu-Kathua range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, arrived at the Police Reception Centre (PRC) at Bari Brahmana Railway Station on Wednesday night to welcome the arriving forces. Sharma assessed the accommodation facilities for the paramilitary forces and briefed officers on the sensitivity and importance of their duties, emphasizing full cooperation with local police, officials said.

Accompanied by senior officers, DIG Sharma also addressed concerns raised by the security personnel, assuring them of prompt resolution.

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These paramilitary forces will be stationed across Jammu, Kathua, and Samba districts to maintain security during the assembly elections in the union territory, reports news agency, PTI.

EC’s notification for second phase

On Thursday, the Election Commission issued a notification for the filing of nomination papers by candidates for the second phase of the elections in Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to start in the third week of September. In the second phase, 26 seats will go to the polls on September 25.

According to the notification, the last date for filing nominations is September 5, with scrutiny set for September 6. The final date for the withdrawal of candidatures is September 9. Voters will cast their ballots from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm, and counting will take place on October 4.

The seats going to the polls in the second phase include Kangan (ST), Ganderbal, Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Eidgah, Central Shalteng, Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-I-Sharief, Chadoora, Gulabgarh (ST), Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Kalakote-Sunderbani, Nowshera, Rajouri (ST), Budhal (ST), Thannamandi (ST), Surankote (ST), Poonch Haveli, and Mendhar (ST).

In the 2014 Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP won 28 seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 25, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference won 15, and the Congress won 12. The PDP and BJP formed a coalition government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. However, in 2018, the BJP withdrew its support from the alliance after Mehbooba Mufti took over following Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s demise.

Jammu and Kashmir is expected to witness multi-cornered contests on most seats in this first assembly poll since the abrogation of Article 370.

Notably, in the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year, the BJP won both seats in Jammu, demonstrating its strong support in the region. The National Conference also won two seats. Votes will be counted on October 4.